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Konkan - A Coastal Crisis In The Making

9 days ago , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By Manu Shrivastava

The Konkan region, historically known for its breathtaking coastline, cultural richness and warm hospitality, finds itself at a crossroads—where tourism's exponential growth is being undermined by an alarming parallel rise in informal, unregulated homestays and makeshift accommodations. This phenomenon, fuelled by an absence of structured oversight, has led to the emergence of privately-enforced rules and pseudo-legal mandates that are not only arbitrary in nature but in direct contravention of established Indian law.

At the centre of this unregulated ecosystem lies a troubling trend—the compulsory demand for Aadhaar identification from tourists, often under vague and unsubstantiated pretences. Accommodation providers, many operating without any formal registration or regulatory clearance, insist that guests—particularly unmarried individuals or those of ‘opposite sex’—submit Aadhaar cards at the time of booking or check-in.  

The Supreme Court of India, in its landmark judgment on privacy and the use of Aadhaar, has made it explicitly clear that Aadhaar cannot be forced upon citizens where it is not legally mandated. But, select homestays across Konkan demand Aadhaar Card for identity proof with wild abandon
In certain cases, these operators go so far as to impose conditions such as mandatory Aadhaar for stays exceeding two days, even insist on “local police guidelines” to justify their discriminatory practices. These claims are legally unfounded.

It must be unequivocally stated that under the current legal framework in India, the provision of Aadhaar as a form of identity is not mandatory for hotel or accommodation bookings. The Supreme Court of India, in its landmark judgment on privacy and the use of Aadhaar, has made it explicitly clear that Aadhaar cannot be forced upon citizens where it is not legally mandated. 

In the landmark judgment of Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India in 2017 and subsequent rulings, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Aadhaar for specific purposes such as welfare schemes, subsidies, and taxation, but struck down provisions that made it mandatory for linking with mobile phones and bank accounts. 

The court ruled that private entities cannot force individuals to provide their Aadhaar numbers for services like mobile connections or bank accounts. Additionally, the court emphasised the need for explicit consent and legal mandates for Aadhaar usage.

Alternatives such as passports, voter ID cards, driving licences, or any other government-issued photo identification are equally acceptable and sufficient. The unauthorised demand for Aadhaar not only infringes upon the fundamental right to privacy but exposes unsuspecting tourists to potential data misuse.

Very conveniently, tourists engaged in pre-wedding shoots - a burgeoning sector within the regional tourism economy – are immune of the impact of these unlawful demands. Typically comprising young, unmarried couples, photographers, stylists, and support staff, these visitors spend limited time in the region, often over weekends, and significantly contribute to local businesses ranging from transport and food services to event logistics and hospitality.

However, the rest of the tourists, few and far between, instead of being welcomed, are subjected to intrusive questioning, denied accommodation, or coerced into furnishing documentation that they are under no legal obligation to provide.

Worryingly, a climate of selective enforcement has begun to take root. Familiarity with local influencers, photographers or intermediaries often serves as the passport to bypass such discriminatory policies. This informal system of patronage erodes trust, fosters corruption, and creates an exclusionary environment that penalises the law-abiding tourist and emboldens the rule-breaker.



A comparison with Goa, though inconvenient, is increasingly unavoidable. The unchecked proliferation of unregulated accommodations, moral policing, and the arbitrary enforcement of rules in Goa has drawn widespread criticism both domestically and internationally leading to a decisive decline in tourist numbers and concurrent hit on the economy. Unless immediate and decisive intervention is undertaken, Konkan risks a similar reputational decline.

It is imperative that the state tourism ministry, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), and local law enforcement agencies recognise the urgency of the issue. First, a thorough audit must be conducted to identify all unregistered accommodations operating in the region. Second, strict penalties must be enforced against establishments that fabricate rules or engage in unlawful data collection. Third, awareness campaigns must be launched to educate both tourists and accommodation providers about legal rights and obligations concerning identity verification.

Furthermore, there is a pressing need to implement a standardised registration process for homestays and small lodgings under a centralised regulatory body. This would ensure accountability, preserve the integrity of local tourism and foster a secure and inclusive environment for all visitors.

The Konkan coastline must not be allowed to descend into a zone of arbitrary governance where the rule of law is replaced by the whim of local hosts. The rights of tourists—married or unmarried, Indian or foreign, short-stay or long-term—must be protected through robust legal safeguards and rigorous enforcement. Tourism, after all, cannot thrive in an environment of suspicion and subjugation. It requires trust, transparency, and above all, respect for the Constitution.



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